In 2015, MVPC brought together members from our 15 municipalities’ Departments of Public Works, Highway Departments, and Conservation Departments to begin convening a regional Stormwater Collaborative. For 10 years, this Stormwater Collaborative met monthly to discuss issues surrounding stormwater management, including MS4 requirements, drone applications, green infrastructure, and watershed-based planning. In 2025, this group broke from their monthly meeting schedule to assess the capacity, needs, and interests of members. After a few months off, we’re excited to reconvene under a new name: the Regional Infrastructure and Stormwater Collaborative (RISC).

This new name reflects an expanded interest in both stormwater management practices and the infrastructure that supports resiliency during storm events. Rather than meeting monthly, RISC will begin meeting on a quarterly basis starting on December 10, 2025. These quarterly meetings will provide all attendees with space to share and discuss stormwater challenges and successes, learn from guest presenters and speakers, highlight progress and opportunities across the region, and help members identify funding sources. The purpose of these meetings is to encourage and enhance coordinated, inter-municipal approaches to stormwater infrastructure and management to protect clean water and safe environments for the residents of the Merrimack Valley. MVPC looks forward to reengaging our municipal members in this space and building stormwater resiliency across the Merrimack Valley.

If you’re curious to learn more about RISC be sure to follow our RISC webpage as we continue to make updates to reflect these new changes. For questions, please e-mail [email protected].